PVC film resists gamma sterilization

Teknor Apex Co. says it has developed a medical-grade PVC film with a non-phthalate plasticizer that withstands gamma sterilization.

The company makes the films at its Industry, Calif., plant. It claims its calendering process and quality control give a high degree of thickness uniformity and product versatility. The family of films uses a citrate plasticizer that withstands gamma rays.

“The new citrate-based film from Teknor Apex enables medical manufacturers to obtain the proven advantages of PVC over alternative materials while meeting requirements calling for plasticizers to be non-phthalate,” notes Richard Vega, manager of the company’s vinyl division film calendaring facility, in a news release.

The film, called MF-165-J3R-79NT is available in thicknesses ranging from 0.15 to 0.5 millimeters, in widths up to 60 inches and slitting down to 2 inches. Other properties include Shore A hardness of 81, specific gravity of 1.25, tensile strength of 2,700 psi and elongation of 300 percent.

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